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OK following the education break of String-san after 8 months of kicking me all over the place Pauk has challenged and I have accepted a game stock scen 15....

OK I do not know much about Pauks play style and as the allies my plans will depend almost entirely on what the Japanese do.

Of key importance is not to get wiped out in China..the amount of grief China has given me in various games is beyond belief. So I will be paying particular attention to it in this game.

The only inkling I have is a small feeling in the back of my head that Pauk will hit manila instead of Pearl. I don't know why but its just a feeling I have or perhaps Singapore.

If he does I will know that I am facing lightning war in the DEI

Let the games begin !!!!


Andy

ORIGINAL: Andy Mac

OK following the education break of String-san after 8 months of kicking me all over the place Pauk has challenged and I have accepted a game stock scen 15....

OK I do not know much about Pauks play style and as the allies my plans will depend almost entirely on what the Japanese do.

Of key importance is not to get wiped out in China..the amount of grief China has given me in various games is beyond belief. So I will be paying particular attention to it in this game.

The only inkling I have is a small feeling in the back of my head that Pauk will hit manila instead of Pearl. I don't know why but its just a feeling I have or perhaps Singapore.

If he does I will know that I am facing lightning war in the DEI

Let the games begin !!!!


Andy

If it is a "stock" scenario 15, why are you wondering about an attack on Manila instead of Pearl? Do you mean that you've taken a non-historic start? (I'd love to have a start as Allies where I have all of my BBs after day 1 ...[:D])

Good luck -

Dave Baranyi

He can hit Singers Manila or PH or a combo thereon but only CV based air can attack port

OK turn 1 done and sent back lets see what happens. (The allies do nothing so its kinda easy for me !!!!!!!)

Andy

OK turn 2 is in and done.

As the Allies its hard to know what to do its still not clear where the Japanese will strike.

They have hit Pearl Hard Nevada is 99 sys (ie sunk) 5 others are 50 - 90 sys only california and Arizona are under 50.

Landings reported on Malaya and Luzon I am unsure how to react at this stage.

Initial orders are for supply to be transferred into Singapore and Luzon while all ships in Port have been ordered to scatter.

I have initially decided on Kenbdari as the concentration point for the ABDA fleet POW and Repulse are moving to join them and I have reinforced the base with Fighters accordingly. Also PT boats and DD's and CL's.

2 Bn's of Australian Infnatry are moving to increase garrison as well. Luzon forces are retreating to Clark to start digging in.

Transports are assembling at karachi, San Francisoco and Brisbane I am also assembling a SOPAC fleet at Suva. Until Fiji is secure I will not reinforce New Cal as I feel New Cal is not defendable without a secure Fiji.

Enterprise and Lexington are making a speed run for Fiji.

Andy

A plan is forming I have been thinking about how to counter the Japanese advance.

In the past I have used many tactics and strategies with varying success.

The full Sir Robin
Fortress Singers (Where I reinfoces Singapore)
Fortress Java

These I have all had success with

Fortress PI just wont work reinforcing aint possible
I could try Fortress Sumatra or a defence based on holding Amboina/ Kendari/ Bali falling back onto Timor alterantively I could fight where I was deployed

I am not sure yet to some extent the decision is not mine to make.

I can afford to concentrate to delay the Japanese in one place and the decision about where it is to be will be required in the next few days.

My Naval Forces are concentrating at Kendari - Malaya Army has been handed over to General Peirse as General Percival had a breakdown.

India my focus is on concentrating into three forces

1. Around Ahmabad - Delhi fall back line
2. 3 Corps at Hyderabad - Bangalore
3. SEAC at Calcutta - Dacca

No forces will be sent to reinforce Burma or Malaya (PZB has made me paranoid !!!!)

The key for India is defence in depth and the must protect region at Madras.

Burma

Is all about delay delay Moulmien will be held until flanked all enginneers ordered to Mandalay to prepare fall back positions.


Malaya forts ordered at Johore and Singapore all units to stand and fight but to NOT get retreated delay delay is what this is all about. A decision about where to stand will be made after I see his strength. If he committs historic plus 1 or 2 extra Divs I will probably evac if less that Historic I will consider reinforcing.

One USAAF Fighter Sqn from PI is on its way to assist with aircover
2 Sqns of the AVG are also present although 1 will head south to shield the anchorage of my newly formed Force Z

DEI defences ordered on Java and Sumatra again until enemy intentions are clear I will not know wheter to Sir Robin or Reinforce.

Southern DEI Force Z plus 2 Aussie Bn's ordered to concentrate at Kendari, I may also reinforce Amboina to try and throw force estimates off. The Japanese knowledge about allied deployments can work against them in places like Kendari/ Macaase/ Amboina and Kuching I know he will try one of them early but which one its a shell game I can reinforce one or 2 and throw off his force allocation it could be a real problem for him.

I am concetrating my USN South/ Central Pacific Fleet at Fiji this is personal preference as I feel New Cal is to exposed as soon as I am sure Pearl is not threatened I will reinfoce Suva with a US Division

I will be waiting a few weeks before trying the Pearl to San Fran run as KB will be hanging about ----- it is inevitable I have not had a game yet where the IJN didnt try to catch my retreating battle line...

Anyway I await the next day lets see what it brings........

<Gets out the tea leaves to try and discover Japanese intentions>

Andy

Hmmmm the IJN has struck early at Jolo and Davao and early seizure of these islands may make Kendari a step to close to be the safe haven for my fleet. No movement near Kuching or any of the islands in the southern barrier but it is only a matter of time

I was also underwhelmed by the attack on Malaya at Khota Bharu he landed 18th Div and a Mixed Bde makes me wonder if other forces will land at Kuantan or even Mersing.

I may move my fleet in a few days after it concentrates to Batavia in case he does go for Mersing....

Started moving a couple of B17 Gps from the West Coast while I can it takes about 7 days to move a B17 Gp to India/Burma at this stage of the war before I lose the DEI so I am making the most of it 2 Gps of B17's (which I will downgrade to Mitchells as soon as I have them forward) will give Singapore some genuine airpower.

B25's arrive at about 100 a month from January so a Sqn operatinal by the 10th january is possible in Burma/Malaya (earlier if I commit with Marauders or B17's

One of the Gps is the only one that upgrades to LB24's so with a little luck I wont have to use my few precious Forts in this role

Andy

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/08/41

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 79 troops unloading over beach at Lingayen, 44,50


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Khota Bharu, 24,45, firing at TF 85
TF 85 troops unloading over beach at Khota Bharu, 24,45


12 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
DD Murakumo

Japanese ground losses:
545 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 88 troops unloading over beach at Vigan, 44,49


Japanese ground losses:
244 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Khota Bharu, 24,45, firing at TF 130
TF 130 troops unloading over beach at Khota Bharu, 24,45


8 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
DD Otori

Japanese ground losses:
448 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Davao at 41,61

Japanese Ships
BB Fuso
BB Yamashiro
CL Natori
DD Minazuki
DD Nagatsuki
DD Sawakaze
DD Yukaze
DD Wakatake
DD Kuretake
DD Sanae

Allied Ships
AVD William B. Preston, Shell hits 14, and is sunk
AK Mauban, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AK Montanes, Shell hits 21, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 26,45

Japanese Ships
DD Shikinami
DD Uranami
DD Hatsuyuki
DD Shirayuki
DD Isonami
DD Usugumo
DD Shinonome

Allied Ships
SS KXII, hits 2, on fire

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Davao, at 41,61 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

15 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
DD Sanae
DD Kuretake, Shell hits 1
DD Wakatake
DD Yukaze, Shell hits 4, on fire
DD Sawakaze, Shell hits 2
DD Nagatsuki
DD Minazuki
CL Natori
BB Yamashiro
BB Fuso


Allied ground losses:
232 casualties reported
Guns lost 4
Vehicles lost 1

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 8
Port hits 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 43,49

Japanese Ships
AP Chowa Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
PC Ch 16
PC Kyo Maru #13
PC Kyo Maru #12
DD Inazuma
DD Ikazuchi

Allied Ships
SS S-36

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 128 troops unloading over beach at Jolo, 38,59


Japanese ground losses:
179 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Khota Bharu, 24,45, firing at TF 85
TF 85 troops unloading over beach at Khota Bharu, 24,45


25 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
PG Tatsumiya Maru, Shell hits 2
PC Ch 7

Japanese ground losses:
131 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 88 troops unloading over beach at Vigan, 44,49


Japanese ground losses:
208 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 128 troops unloading over beach at Jolo, 38,59


Japanese ground losses:
82 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Khota Bharu, 24,45, firing at TF 130
TF 130 troops unloading over beach at Khota Bharu, 24,45


27 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
CA Chokai

Japanese ground losses:
244 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Khota Bharu , at 24,45

Japanese aircraft
C5M Babs x 1
Ki-15 Babs x 1

No Japanese losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Khota Bharu at 24,45

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 11
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 17

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 18
Blenheim IV x 6
P-40B Tomahawk x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27 Nate: 1 damaged
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 3 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 9 destroyed
Blenheim IV: 1 damaged
P-40B Tomahawk: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Legaspi at 44,55

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 12

Allied aircraft
B-17C Fortress x 3

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AP Konan Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-17C Fortress bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Davao at 41,61


Allied aircraft
B-17C Fortress x 6


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AP Kashiwa Maru

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-17C Fortress bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Khota Bharu at 24,45

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 11
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 15

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 4
P-40B Tomahawk x 1

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 1 damaged
P-40B Tomahawk: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
AK Akita Maru

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Blenheim IV bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Khota Bharu at 24,45

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 11
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 15

Allied aircraft
B-17C Fortress x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27 Nate: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-17C Fortress: 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Chokai

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-17C Fortress bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Taytay at 39,53

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
G3M Nell x 4
E13A1 Jake x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
MSW Bittern
MSW Whippoorwill
AVD Childs, Bomb hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
1 x E13A1 Jake bombing at 2000 feet
4 x E13A1 Jake bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Taytay at 39,53

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
PG Isabel, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Taytay at 39,53

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AVD Childs
PG Asheville, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 43,55

Japanese aircraft
F1M2 Pete x 5

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AO Pecos

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x F1M2 Pete bombing at 2000 feet
3 x F1M2 Pete bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 43,55

Japanese aircraft
F1M2 Pete x 8

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AO Pecos, Bomb hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x F1M2 Pete bombing at 2000 feet
4 x F1M2 Pete bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Cagayan at 42,59

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Magallanes, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Songkhia at 24,43


Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 22
Blenheim IV x 3
P-40B Tomahawk x 15


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
PG Chosa Maru

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Blenheim IV bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Songkhia at 24,43


Allied aircraft
Blenheim I x 5
Hudson I x 9


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AP Hukuyo Maru
AP Manzyu Maru
AP Kyokusei Maru

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x Hudson I bombing at 6000 feet
1 x Blenheim I bombing at 6000 feet
4 x Hudson I bombing at 6000 feet
4 x Hudson I bombing at 6000 feet
4 x Blenheim I bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Kompong Trach at 29,44


Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 2
Blenheim I x 3


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AK Shinamogawa Maru

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Blenheim I bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 41,55

Japanese aircraft
E13A1 Jake x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Don Jose

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x E13A1 Jake bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 42,54

Japanese aircraft
E13A1 Jake x 5

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged


Allied Ships
AS Canopus

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x E13A1 Jake bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 45,57

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11
G3M Nell x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Dos Hermanos

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Masbate Island at 44,56

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7
G4M1 Betty x 12

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Taurus, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Masbate Island at 44,56

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Escalante R
AK Elcano

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Masbate Island at 44,56

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 2

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Governor Wright, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 42,50

Japanese Ships
SS I-121

Allied Ships
DD Thanet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Davao, at 41,61

Japanese Ships
DD Sanae
DD Kuretake
DD Wakatake
DD Yukaze
DD Sawakaze
DD Nagatsuki
DD Minazuki
CL Natori
BB Yamashiro
BB Fuso


Allied ground losses:
119 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

Runway hits 4
Port hits 2
Port fuel hits 4

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Davao, 41,61, firing at TF 77
TF 77 troops unloading over beach at Davao, 41,61


60 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
AP Tenryu Maru

Japanese ground losses:
808 casualties reported
Guns lost 2


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Guam

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 751 troops, 4 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Guam base !!!



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Khota Bharu

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 4931 troops, 41 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 30053 troops, 357 guns, 15 vehicles



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Davao

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2826 troops, 24 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 11678 troops, 83 guns, 18 vehicles


Japanese ground losses:
5 casualties reported


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Vigan

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 9651 troops, 164 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 541 troops, 5 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 7 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Vigan base !!!


Japanese ground losses:
15 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
31 casualties reported
Guns lost 1


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Lingayen

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1679 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Lingayen base !!!

In Malaya I am goign all out to hit his Khota Baru force I have focused my TB's and 2 Fighter Sqns at Kuantan to try and strike at the enemy so lets see what happens

If my stringbags can put a torp into one of his Battlewagons so much the better....

Andy

Also I have concentrated the 2nd Dutch Bomber Gp 29 Martin 139 Bombers at Tarakan to see if they can hit the Jolo invasion force

I am not yet at the stage of really planning operations it is all about reacting.

My 'oh shit I know I am in trouble' line started prep today as well it involves an Indian Base Force at each of Ahmabad and Delhi building forts.

I want lvl 9 forts at Madras Karachi Dacca Calcutta Diamond Harbour and all the West Coast of India ASAP and forts building inland as well.

This may sound over paranoid but I always send the 1st two or three Seabee units to India just to give my fort building a bit of extra help. (The under strength Indian Divisons are good as well as they at Bde size in infantry but they fill up in guns and engineers to full Div size quickly making them excellent construction/ rear area garrisons)

India is very very exposed at start any stand in Malaya / DEI has only one purpose for me to give time for India to get ready.

<you may have nticed I am paranoid about India>

Andy

Yeah, india was my worry in my game vs pauk too. A few suggestions. Get those c-47 squadrons from west coast to hawaii ASAP. they can make it to india from there by flying before the DEI gets conquered and you have to ship planes from australia to india.

Also, use the already present c-47 squadron (somewhere in sopac iirc) to ferry a chinese division or two into dacca, or someplace nearby. They can fill up nicely at that supply rich enviorment.

Other than that, Tavi-Tavi/Tarakan/balikpapan all are 5 hexes worth of sailing from eachother, Force Z can sail 5 hexes per phase.. [;)]

I think it may be possible to hold the northern Sumatran bases, especially on the western side. (Depending on which map you're using). If I was the Japanese player I certainly wouldn't be expecting to see an Indian brigade there! [8D]

Ta for the tip I am moving the C 47's but more in order to fly supplies into China

I have not as yet started the Chinese SEAC Divs marching to Burma. I feel China is to vulnerable for me to send them to Burma to try and hang onto Mandalay the one decision I have made so far is that Burma is about delaying not holding.

I want to make him committ forces to the Malaria infested jungles of northern Burma

I am very nervous about the fact that so few forces have been sent to Malaya. I have made a bad mistake the forces at Khota bombarded last turn and I forgot to cancel it so they wont defend as well as they should.

I dont think he canbounce me out but with enough airpower and BB's in support anything is possible.

Andy

Alkichi I definitley want to try and do something unexpected so I may try it the only problem with those bases is that they are a little exposed and easy to cutoff one of the things I have learned in this game is that a Midway type result is just not possible.

I cannot get control of the seas even by committing CV's until I get Hellcats US CV's just cannot cut it against KB unless KB has been attrited against LBA I don't like it I think its bullshit but there it is in the game as it stands I cannot get control of the seas so any units I commit to exposed bases I have to be willing to lose (although having said that this game is under PDU's....hmmmmm I wonder...RN 4 CV TF with Seafires 80+ xp FAA pilots versus Zero's hmmmmm this could get interesting....) I think someone did a test that proved with Seafires and POW for AA support the RN could go toe to toe with the IJN for one day (after one day the RN cannot sustain the fight as the carriers just dont have the aircraft and the AA ammo is shot out)

Sumatra may be possible after all I'll do some thinking around that one.

PDU is just so weird that I don't know how it changes the balance of power yet

The one good thing I have learned (from String in our game) is that it is never ever over for the Allies they can always come back it may by ugly it may involve brute force but from 43 onwards no matter what losses they take in 42 they can come back !!!!

India mshmindia - who in the right mind would attack india - dum de dum

ORIGINAL: Andy Mac

Alkichi I definitley want to try and do something unexpected so I may try it the only problem with those bases is that they are a little exposed and easy to cutoff one of the things I have learned in this game is that a Midway type result is just not possible.

I cannot get control of the seas even by committing CV's until I get Hellcats US CV's just cannot cut it against KB unless KB has been attrited against LBA I don't like it I think its bullshit but there it is in the game as it stands I cannot get control of the seas so any units I commit to exposed bases I have to be willing to lose (although having said that this game is under PDU's....hmmmmm I wonder...RN 4 CV TF with Seafires 80+ xp FAA pilots versus Zero's hmmmmm this could get interesting....) I think someone did a test that proved with Seafires and POW for AA support the RN could go toe to toe with the IJN for one day (after one day the RN cannot sustain the fight as the carriers just dont have the aircraft and the AA ammo is shot out)

Sumatra may be possible after all I'll do some thinking around that one.

PDU is just so weird that I don't know how it changes the balance of power yet

The one good thing I have learned (from String in our game) is that it is never ever over for the Allies they can always come back it may by ugly it may involve brute force but from 43 onwards no matter what losses they take in 42 they can come back !!!!

I'd say, that after august 42, with the expanded fighter groups, avengers and seafires on RN CV's you can take on the KB when you combine all your 6 american and throw in some RN CV's as well. Hey, I midwayed one of my PBEM opponents in early june 42 when playing #13 scenario. He quit after that [:'(]

Hmmmm choices choices.

OK today Pauk hit more of my fleeing ships from the PI and he took Davaoand Jolo.

But crucially failed to take Khota by storm. He knocked a level of forts off but that is all.

His Fast BB's hit Kuantan (A mistake on my part I shouldnt have sent my TB's to an exposed base) a mistake but I was gambling.

(In the air phase my TB's put Torps into 3 PG's so not all bad !!!)

OK Overall so far so good I detest China and I am sure Pauk will roll right over me there I just cannot give it the attnetion it deserves[:@][:@]

Housten, Boise and about 14 DD's (mostly FDeckers) are at Kendari and I am mining Amboina and Macasser so lets see what happens.

2nd Dutch BG is hitting Jolo AF today

I have got three trapped USAAF Base Forces in northern PI I have no way of getting them out fortunately I had forseen this and had 15 subs on hand A large proportion of these BF's are being evacuated to Singapore where there AA will greatly add to the firepower of Singapore Island.

In other news the 1st tankers are loading with Oil at Palembang for the short run to Singapore I want 30k Oil in Singers so that I am producing supply on island.

Andy

10th December 1941 looks like Kuching is going to get hit soon.

AK spotted heading SW. The newly reorganised Force Z moves closer POW Repulse. Housten 6 x CL and 16 DD's (about 50% FD 'ers)

A second force built around Revenge and Exeter will assemble at Batavia

My two rushed forward B 17 Gps are getting close to the operational theatre.

I have an effecttive strength of about 20 B17's per group the rest are scattered half way across the Pacific.

If he attacks Kuching I hope to be able to launch B17's to try and keep it closed.

Apart from that KB has dissapeared ... some expendable MSW's have been sent out to 'find' KB NE E and SE of Pearl call me suspicious but......

Losing about the average number of ships fleeing from Manila some will escape some will be sunk cest la vie !!!!

Andy

OK I have thought up what to do next I have decided that I sense the merest whisper of a lack of conviction in the attack on Malaya I'm not sure but there hasnt been enough effort on the part of the Japanese.

As a result I am going with Fortress Singapore plan.

In addition to 3 USAAF Base Forces I am diverting the EAB bn from Manila and a fragment of the AA Bn plus 2 Australian Inf Bns

If I am right he will finish PI early and Malaya late. This is a risk I am basing it all on the fact that only 1 Div and 1 Bde have landed after the 3 Days. No Mersing (yet) and no Kuantan (yet)

Therefore Operation Alamo is approved forces will concentrate on Malaya.

No forces from outside of DEI or PI will move to Malaya (except the 2 roundout Bns for 8th Aus Div) the die is cast unless intel changes over the next few days Singers will be fortified and held for as long as possible. I want to at least match historic performance in this respect.

Andy

I've used the same tactic in my allied games, and it all comes down to luck. If the AVG manages to maul your opponents zeroes badly in the first few raids he does on the airfield then it's possible. If not then it's doomed, you can't move in supplies and without supplies singapore will fall.

Yup and that depends on keeping my P40's in Manilia up to strength force him to commit zeroes there in order to get through. This is all about buying time for India/ NZ and Australia to get ready for the onslaught.

If I can get to June with no Japanese landings on India/ NZ or Australia the strategy has worked anything else and its a failure.

OK I Have a cunning plan to dislocate Pauks attack more to fol;lw in future updates